Obituary: Peggy Moerke

Margaret "Peggy" Ann Moerke, 81, of Esko passed away Oct. 12, 2024, at Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton.

Peggy was born in Duluth on July 7, 1943, to Lyell and Johanna Brand and graduated from the Denfeld High School class of 1961.

She worked until 2020 as a recorder for Social Security disability hearings, providing the official records of the proceedings. She enjoyed knowing the people in the office and meeting the variety of traveling judges who presided over the hearings.

Peggy was always busy and involved in many things throughout her life. She was involved in local government in various ways serving as a Thomson Township supervisor and at various times a member of the boards of adjustment and planning and zoning. She was also active in the Investment Club in Esko and was proud of her savvy, if modest, investments.

One activity of special importance to her (and many others), were her efforts, with her friend Linda Finn, in starting North Country RIDE, an equestrian-based rehabilitation program for mentally and physically challenged individuals established in 1982. It continues to this day with great success.

Peggy was a member of the Arrowhead Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America and enjoyed attending and planning the tours the club would sponsor. She enjoyed attending car shows, sitting by the car and chatting with the passers-by and people watching.

She loved to explore the backroads and she and Bob would go on frequent drives to do just that.

She was a lover of animals, plants and gardening throughout her life.

She enjoyed her time at the cabin and trips around the lake on the pontoon, where she kept tabs on the bald eagles in the white pines and would often wet

a line.

She loved to show people new things and loved to see them herself. When Bob's work would not let him get away, Peggy would pack up the car with the kids and head to places to explore. The amethyst mines of Thunder Bay, the Crystal Caves, and the House on the Rock were a few of the mini-vacations she put together. Continuing that tradition with Bob, she took road trips with her grandkids Isabelle and Reid, who still cherish the memories. Her grandkids never performed a concert, played a sport, had a school program, or performed in a play without Grandma Peggy in the audience cheering and videotaping. She was their greatest champion and supporter.

She looked forward to her weekly canasta game with lifelong friends JoAnn and Stanley, where it was gals vs. guys. They played every week, to the very end. After a long day, Peggy would often "go put my feet up and take it easy."

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, Lyell and Johanna; and sister, Caroline.

She is survived by her loving and constant companion, husband Bob Moerke, with whom she shared 62 years of marriage; sons, Steven [Chelsey] Moerke and Roger [Tania] Moerke; and her grandchildren, Isabelle and Reid, and Clover and Clark.

The family would like to thank the staff at Inter-Faith Care Center and the personnel of St. Croix Hospice for their exceptional care of Peggy.

A celebration of life will be held 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at North Country RIDE, 180 Hatinen Rd. Esko. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Peggy's name to North Country RIDE, where they will be gratefully accepted.

Pine Knot News, Oct. 25, 2024